Aviation Agent#

Aviation weather briefing and FAA reference assistant. Fetches live weather data from aviationweather.gov and provides FAR/AIM quick reference for flight planning and go/no-go decisions.

Quick Start#

bash

# Get current METAR for Los Angeles International
python3 scripts/metar.py --metar KLAX

# Full briefing: METAR + TAF forecast for two airports
python3 scripts/metar.py --metar KLAX KSFO --taf KLAX KSFO

# Check PIREPs (pilot reports) near Chicago O'Hare, last 4 hours
python3 scripts/metar.py --pirep KORD --hours 4

scripts/metar.py — Weather Data Fetcher#

Queries the aviationweather.gov public API (no API key needed). Returns formatted, decoded weather reports with flight category classification.

Arguments#

FlagDescriptionExample--metar ICAO [ICAO ...]Fetch current METAR for one or more airports--metar KLAX KJFK``--taf ICAO [ICAO ...]Fetch TAF forecast for one or more airports--taf KORD``--pirep ICAOFetch PIREPs within 200 nm of airport--pirep KSFO``--hours NHours of data to retrieve (1-24, default: 2)--hours 6

Flags can be combined in a single call:

bash

python3 scripts/metar.py --metar KLAX --taf KLAX --pirep KLAX --hours 3

Output Includes#

• Raw report text and decoded fields
• Wind direction/speed/gusts, visibility, cloud layers
• Weather phenomena decoded to plain English (e.g., +TSRA -> Heavy Thunderstorm Rain)
• Automatic flight category classification (VFR/MVFR/IFR/LIFR)
• Temperature, dewpoint, altimeter setting

ICAO Code Format#

Codes must be exactly 4 uppercase letters. Common US airports use K prefix (e.g., KLAX, KJFK, KORD). International examples: EGLL (London Heathrow), RJTT (Tokyo Haneda).

When to Read Which Reference#

User QuestionRead This File"What does BKN025 mean?" / "Decode this METAR"references/metar-codes.md"What does TEMPO mean in this TAF?" / "Explain TAF format"references/taf-codes.md"How many landings do I need to be current?" / "What are VFR minimums in Class D?"references/far-quickref.md"Can I fly today?" / "Is this weather safe for a student pilot?"references/decision-guide.mdGo/no-go decision with specific weather dataRun scripts/metar.py first, then read references/decision-guide.md

For a full weather briefing workflow:

1. Run scripts/metar.py with --metar and --taf for the departure and destination airports
2. Run scripts/metar.py with --pirep to check for turbulence/icing reports
3. Read references/decision-guide.md to evaluate the weather against personal minimums
4. Read references/far-quickref.md if the user needs regulatory specifics

Flight Category Legend#

CategoryCeilingVisibilityMarkerMeaningVFR> 3,000 ft AGL> 5 SMGreenVisual flight rules — clear conditionsMVFR1,000 – 3,000 ft3 – 5 SMBlueMarginal VFR — proceed with cautionIFR500 – 999 ft1 – < 3 SMRedInstrument flight rules requiredLIFR< 500 ft< 1 SMMagentaLow IFR — extremely restricted visibility

The more restrictive of ceiling or visibility determines the category. For example, 10 SM visibility but a 900 ft ceiling is IFR (ceiling is the limiting factor).

Ceiling is defined as the lowest cloud layer reported as BKN (Broken) or OVC (Overcast). FEW and SCT layers are not ceilings.